Final Varsity Statistics

Video Gallery

Mustangs Well-Represented on Division 1-2 All-Area Team

Three Portage Central baseball players were named to the Kalamazoo Gazette's Division 1-2 All-Area first team, and four others were accorded honorable mention status.

Seniors Monty Porter and Tyler Jones, along with junior Ryan Krill, were named to the first team. Senior Nick McIntyre, juniors Caleb Meulman and Jordan Tillman, and sophomore Logan Templeton each received honorable mention.

Click HERE for the full list of the Gazette's Division 1-2 All-Area selections.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Porter, Krill Garner Second-Team All-State Honors

Senior pitcher Monty Porter and junior outfielder Ryan Krill were each named to the second-team, Division 1 all-state baseball team.

Porter fashioned a 9-1 overall record with a skinny 0.75 ERA. He struck out 62 batters in 56 innings of work, while walking just 13. Porter capped a stellar senior season by appearing June 21 in the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association East-West All-Star game at Detroit's Comerica Park. The right-hander yielded no earned runs in his two innings of work, but his West squad eventually fell to the East, 12-2.

Krill had another monster year at the plate, hitting a team-best .474. Krill also led the team in slugging percentage (.726), on-base percentage (.629) and walks (27). He also collected 45 hits, scored 43 runs and drove in 43.

For the full list of all-state selections, please click on the following:

 http://www.mhsbca.org/All%20state%20teams/2010allstate.htm

----------------------------------------------------------

2010 Season Celebrated in Banquet at KCC

Nearly 150 players, parents, coaches and supporters turned out June 8 at Kalamazoo Country Club for an end-of-the year banquet to celebrate the 2010 Portage Central baseball season. The program produced 74 wins and a gaudy winning percentage of .871, ranking it among the most successful programs in the nation.

Senior co-captain Monty Porter was named the varsity MVP, in addition to earning first-team all-conference and all-district honors. Porter was also named as a pitcher for the East-West All-Star Game that will be played June 21 at Comerica Park in Detroit. Senior Nick McIntyre was also honored as a co-captain, while senior Kevin Irwin was named the team's Most Improved Player, earned academic all-district honors and was an honorable mention all-conference selection. Senior Tyler Jones was named the winner of the Athletic Achievement Award, as well as an all-district and first-team all-conference player.

Other awards of note included all-district, academic all-district and first-team all-conference honors for junior Ryan Krill, and first-team all-conference honors for juniors Jordan Tillman and Caleb Meulman, along with sophomore Logan Templeton. Earning honorable mention all-conference honors were juniors Evan Meier and Mike Smodic and sophomores Derek Schneider and Lee Dreksler.

Coaches Paul Schneider (varsity), Chris Gates (JV) and Mike Webster (freshman) each took turns recognizing players, individually, as well as offering deserved thanks and praise to everyone who supported Mustangs baseball during the 2010 season.

Enjoy your summer!!  

----------------------------------------------------------

Mustangs Edged in District Semifinal

In a battle that went down to the final out of the game, Portage Central dropped a heart-breaking 2-1 decision Saturday afternoon to crosstown rival Portage Northern in the semifinals of the Division 1 district tournament in Mattawan.

The clash featured two of the state's elite Division 1 teams, and the top-ranked Huskies (30-5-2) pushed across the eventual winning run in the bottom of the sixth inning against the No. 3-ranked Mustangs (29-5).

An infield single in the fourth inning by senior Nathan Schutter plated the Mustangs' lone run. Junior Ryan Krill collected two of Portage Central's five hits. Senior Monty Porter was touched for five hits and a pair of earned runs. He walked one batter and struck out five others.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Mustangs Sweep Harper Creek in Regular Season Finale

Nick McIntyre swatted a pair of home runs -- the second of which was of the inside-the-park variety -- and Portage Central swept host Harper Creek, 5-0 and 11-1, Tuesday afternoon.

The twin victories allowed the state's No. 3-ranked Division 1 squad  to finish the regular season with a sparkling 29-4 overall record. The Mustangs next face No. 1-ranked Portage Northern (28-5-2) in a district tournament semifinal clash Saturday at noon in Mattawan.

After clubbing a long home run over the left field fence in the first inning, McIntyre sent a deep blast over the head of the Harper Creek centerfielder in his next at-bat. The Harper Creek player slid into the fence and lodged his foot in the process, enabling McIntyre to circle the bases and score standing up.

Sophomore Logan Templeton (6-0) went five strong innings in the opener Tuesday, allowing just one hit and one walk. Junior Kyle Jusick earned his first save of the season with two innings of no-hit baseball.

The key blow in the second game was a bases-clearing triple by sophomore Derek Schneider in the fifth inning. Senior Kevin Irwin pitched five solid innings to earn his sixth mound win of the season in as many decisions.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Mustangs Win G-K Gold Division Title

Senior right-hander Monty Porter earned his ninth consecutive pitching victory and classmate Nick McIntyre smashed his seventh home run of the season to highlight a 6-1 Portage Central win Saturday afternoon over Gull Lake in the Gold Division championship game of the Greater Kalamazoo Tournament.

The Mustangs improved to 27-4 overall and will conclude their regular season Tuesday at Harper Creek.

With the score tied 1-1 in the sixth inning, junior Kyle Jusick singled home junior Evan Meier with the eventual winning run. Jusick had three hits on the day, while senior Nathan Schutter had a pair of hits. Senior Tyler Jones and junior Caleb Meulman also added RBIs. Porter scattered eight hits, walked a batter and struck out eight Blue Devils.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Lakeview Sweeps Mustangs

It was too little, too late Thursday afternoon for the Portage Central Mustangs, who were swept in a nondivisional SMAC doubleheader by Battle Creek Lakeview, 11-9 and 8-7.

Trailing 11-6 in the seventh inning of the opener, the Mustangs got a three-run homer from sophomore catcher Lee Dreksler, but were unable to claw any closer. Dreksler collected a pair of hits and six RBIs in the first game, while junior Jordan Tillman also had two hits. Senior Tyler Jones also plated two runs. A trio of Mustang pitchers surrendered 11 earned runs, 12 hits and issued a total of six walks.

The Mustangs trailed 7-3 after five innings in Game 2, and had the tying run at second base in the seventh, but were unable to convert the opportunity. Dreksler added three more hits, while Jones, junior Kyle Jusick and senior Jeremy Renda each had two hits.

----------------------------------------------------------

Mustangs Sweep Huskies To Win SMAC Central Title

Portage Central senior right-hander Monty Porter validated his credentials as the top high school pitcher in the Kalamazoo area Tuesday afternoon with a masterful performance against crosstown rival and No. 1-ranked Portage Northern.

Porter (8-0) surrendered just a bunt single over his seven innings of work en route to a 3-0 win over the Huskies in the first game of one of the most highly-anticipated prep doubleheaders in recent memory. After Porter's gem ensured the No. 3-ranked Mustangs of no worse than a tie for the SMAC Central Division championship, the Mustangs scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning of the nightcap to escape with a thrilling 8-7 victory.

----------------------------------------------------------

Mustangs Stampede into G-K Championship Game

Ryan Krill and Nick McIntyre played the role of a two-man Portage Central wrecking crew Saturday in the first two rounds of the Greater Kalamazoo Baseball Tournament.

The Mustangs' potent 1-2 punch helped produce wins over Otsego (7-3) and Kalamazoo Central (10-0) to propel Portage Central into next Saturday's Gold Division championship game against Gull Lake. The Blue Devils toppled previously unbeaten Portage Northern, 15-5, in a semifinal stunner.

 Krill collected a pair of hits in both games and McIntyre's first-inning grand slam in the second game provided the Mustangs with all the runs they would need against the Maroon Giants.

Krill added two RBIs against the Bulldogs and senior Tyler Jones also collected two hits. Sophomore Derek Schneider worked five innings, scattering seven hits and a pair of walks to earn the mound win. He also struck out six batters. Sophomore Logan Templeton was credited with his second save of the season.

McIntyre had two hits and five RBIs in the second game. The Mustangs also got two hits, apiece, from Schneider and junior Evan Meier. Schneider also added a pair of RBIs. Junior left-hander Kyle Jusick worked the first three innings of the contest to earn his third pitching victory in as many decisions. Jusick surrendered a pair of hits, one walk and struck out five batters.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Mustangs Sweep Bearcats, Showdown with Northern Next

Sophomore Logan Templeton pitched his second no-hitter of the season and senior Monty Porter yielded just one hit and struck out 10 batters in a pair of lopsided SMAC Central Division victories by Portage Central Tuesday over host Battle Creek Central.

Winners by scores of 13-0 and 16-1, the Mustangs improved to 22-2 overall and 6-0 in the SMAC Central, to set up a championship showdown with crosstown rival and No. 1-ranked Portage Northern next Tuesday at home. The first pitch against the Huskies will be thrown shortly after 4 p.m.

 Junior Ryan Krill collected three hits, two of which were doubles, and drove in three runs in the opener. Junior Caleb Meulman added two hits, scored four runs and had two RBIs, while sophomore Derek Schneider also plated a pair of runs.

Krill, along with juniors Evan Meier, Mike Smodic and Jordan Tillman each had two hits in the nightcap. Meier, Smodic, Tillman and seniors Tyler Jones and Nick McIntyre each collected two RBIs. Senior Nate Schutter scored four times.

Templeton was perfect through three innings. Following an error in the fourth, Templeton walked a batter and yielded an unearned run via a sacrifice fly. The right-hander finished with five strikeouts.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Varsity Splits DH with Lakeshore

After thumping Lakeshore, 13-2 in the first game of a SMAC nondivisional doubleheader Friday afternoon in Stevensville, the Mustangs' 13-game winning streak was halted by the Lancers in the nightcap, 4-2.

Senior Tyler Jones and junior Kyle Jusick each collected three hits in the opener for the Mustangs. Junior Jordan Tillman added two hits and three RBIs, while senior Nick McIntyre chipped in with a pair of hits and plated two teammates. Sophomore Derek Schneider also had two RBIs in Game 1 for the Mustangs. Junior left-hander Bryan Stevens notched his first mound win of the season with four solid innings of work. Stevens surrendered five hits and walked one batter. He struck out six Lancers.

The Mustangs were unable to muster much offense against Lakeshore in the second game. McIntyre collected two of the Mustangs' four hits and added another RBI. Sophomore pitcher Nate Stegman was tagged with the loss.

------------------------------------------------------------

Varsity Win Streak Stretches to 12

A heaping helping of home cooking agreed with the Portage Central Mustangs (19-1) Wednesday afternoon against Vicksburg. The state's No. 2-ranked Division 1 high school baseball team stretched its winning streak to 12 games with lopsided nonconference wins of 10-0 and 16-2 over the Bulldogs.

In the opener, senior right-hander Monty Porter (6-0) checked Vicksburg on just one hit to earn the mound win. He struck out five Bulldogs and walked none. Porter was supported by an offense that produced 11 hits. Senior Tyler Jones collected three hits and two RBIs to lead the charge. Juniors Caleb Meulman, Ryan Krill and Kyle Jusick each chipped in with a pair of hits.

In the nightcap, sophomore hurler Logan Templeton (4-0) overcame a shaky second inning to notch the win. Templeton yielded two hits, walked three batters and struck out three others. Jusick paced the Mustangs with three more hits and plated three runs. Krill, along with juniors Jordan Tillman and Evan Meier, had two hits. Krill, Tillman and senior Jeremy Renda each collected a pair of RBIs.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Mustangs Up to #2, Thump Gull Lake

Under the watchful and interested eye of multiple college coaches, the Portage Central Mustangs pounded out 15 hits Wednesday in an 11-4 non-conference victory over host Gull Lake.

Elevated to No. 2 in this week's Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association Division 1 poll behind crosstown rival Portage Northern, the Mustangs improved their overall record to 17-1.

Junior Ryan Krill's first-inning, three-run homer staked the Mustangs to a lead they would not relinquish. Junior Evan Meier collected a team-high three hits and drove in two runs, while seniors Nick McIntyre and Tyler Jones, junior Mike Smodic and sophomore Derek Schneider each chipped in with a pair of hits.

Junior southpaw Kyle Jusick (2-0) worked 3 2/3 innings in relief of starter Nate Stegman to earn the mound victory. Jusick surrendered three hits, walked none and struck out four Blue Devils.

------------------------------------------------------------

Mustangs Stay Perfect in SMAC Central

Senior Nick McIntyre and junior Ryan Krill combined for a dozen RBIs, and sophomore Logan Templeton pitched his first varsity no-hitter Tuesday afternoon, as Portage Central cruised to a pair of lopsided victories, 17-1 and 16-0, over host Loy Norrix.

The Mustangs improved to 16-1 overall and remained unbeaten in four SMAC Central contests.

In the opener, McIntyre ripped two home runs in a nine-run third inning and finished with five RBIs. He also scored four times. Krill's three-run double in the second inning provided the Mustangs with the only runs they would need. Junior Caleb Meulman also chipped in with four RBIs and sophomore Lee Dreksler had a pair of hits.

Senior right-hander Monty Porter (5-0) yielded two hits, walked one batter and struck out six others to earn the mound victory.

Krill added two hits and plated three more runs in the nightcap. Sophomore Derek Schneider and senior Jeremy Renda also collected three RBIs. Meulman scored three runs, while Krill, Dreksler, McIntyre, senior Tyler Jones and juniors Evan Meier and Kyle Jusick each scored twice.

Templeton faced just 10 batters in his three innings of work. He struck out four Knights and walked none. 

-----------------------------------------------------------

Bats Quiet, But Mustangs Still Sweep Mattawan

With the wind blowing in against the hitters Thursday in Mattawan, the Mustangs managed a total of just 14 hits in a doubleheader against the Wildcats. Most importantly, however, was the fact that the Mustangs mustered up just enough offense to escape with a pair of victories, 5-1 and 11-9.

Junior Ryan Krill collected three RBIs in the opener, and sophomore right-hander Nate Stegman pitched six strong innings. Stegman yielded five hits, walked two batters and struck out three others.

In the nightcap, junior Jordan Tillman belted his second home run of the season and plated three runs. Senior Tyler Jones collected three hits, drove in two runs and scored twice. Senior Nate Schutter also had a pair of hits and scored two runs, while junior Evan Meier was credited with a pair of RBIs on a clutch single in the seventh inning.

Senior Kevin Irwin pitched the final two innings to register the mound win. Irwin surrendered two hits and walked three batters, but effectively stifled the Wildcats with several fly-ball outs.

----------------------------------------------------------

Mustangs Sweep Maroon Giants

Portage Central (12-1) opened defense of its SMAC Central Division championship in convincing fashion Tuesday afternoon against Kalamazoo Central at Mustang Field.

Senior Tyler Jones and junior Caleb Meulman each drove in four runs in a 13-1 victory by the Mustangs in the opener. Junior Evan Meier and senior Nate Schutter smacked back-to-back home runs in the nightcap to power a 13-2 win.

Sophomore Lee Dreksler collected a pair of hits and two RBIs against his former teammates in Game 1. Senior Monty Porter (4-0) went the distance on the mound. He surrendered five hits, struck out five batters and walked one.

Meier collected a career-high four RBIs in Game 2. Schutter plated two runs, as did junior Ryan Krill, while Dreksler and Jones each had two more hits.

Sophomore Logan Templeton (2-0) earned the complete-game victory on the mound. The right-hander yielded five hits and walked two batters, but fanned eight Maroon Giants. 

-----------------------------------------------------------

Varsity Takes a Pair from Sturgis

Jordan Tillman had a big day at the plate, and the lefty-righty combination of starting pitchers Kyle Jusick and Kevin Irwin proved to be too much for host Sturgis Thursday afternoon. The Mustangs improved to 10-1 on the season with a 9-0 SMAC nondivisional victory in Game 1, and a 6-3 win in the nightcap.

Tillman collected three hits, scored twice and drove in a run to back five strong innings by Jusick. The junior southpaw yielded just one hit, struck out four Trojans and walked none. Juniors Caleb Meulman, Ryan Krill and Mike Smodic each chipped in with two hits. Meulman and Smodic each plated a pair of runs, as well. Sophomore Nate Stegman worked the final two innings on the mound in relief of Jusick, surrendering a pair of hits, with three strikeouts and no walks.

In the second game, Tillman had two more hits -- including his first home run of the season -- and scored two runs. Smodic was the lone other Mustang with at least two hits. Irwin put together a third straight strong start, going four innings to improve his mound mark to 3-0. The right-handed senior yielded three hits, struck out two batters and walked none.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Varsity Splits Twinbill With St. Joseph

St. Joseph validated the old baseball adage that "good pitching beats good hitting" Tuesday afternoon at Mustang Field.

The Mustangs managed just four hits in the first game of a SMAC interdivisional doubleheader against the Bears, dropping a 2-1 decision and snapping a seven-game winning streak in the process. The Mustangs, however, bounced back in Game 2, collecting 11 hits en route to a 10-0 victory in five innings.

Juniors Jordan Tillman, Ryan Krill, Caleb Meulman and Mike Smodic each had a hit in the opener. The Bears snapped a 1-1 deadlock in the fifth inning and junior southpaw Bryan Stevens absorbed the mound loss.

In the nightcap, Krill collected four hits and drove in three runs. Tillman had two hits and sophomore Lee Dreksler plated a pair of runs. Junior Evan Meier also accounted for two RBIs with a long double to left-center field.

Sophomore lefthander Derek Schneider worked four innings on the mound to collect his first win of the season. Schneider surrendered three hits, walked one and struck out two.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Mustangs win Hudsonville Tournament

Senior Kevin Irwin and sophomore Logan Templeton combined on a masterful pitching performance in the championship game of the Hudsonville Tournament Saturday, propelling the unbeaten Mustangs to a thrilling 3-2 victory.

Irwin earned his second win in as many outings this season with five solid innings. Irwin surrendered four hits, walked two batters and struck out one other.Templeton then pitched near flawless baseball over the final two frames to secure his first varsity save, as well as the championship trophy. Templeton yielded two hits, struck out four batters and walked none.

The Mustangs beat defending Division 3 state champion, East Grand Rapids, 16-1, in the first game of the tournament. Senior Monty Porter (3-0) handcuffed the Pioneers in a complete-game gem. Porter gave up two hits, fanned five Pioneers and walked none. Junior Caleb Meulman had four hits for the Mustangs. Juniors Jordan Tillman and Ryan Krill, along with sophomores Derek Schneider and Lee Dreksler, each added a pair of hits. Tillman, Dreksler and senior Tyler Jones each drove in three runs.

In the semifinals against Stevensville Lakeshore, the Mustangs dug themselves into a deep hole, and trailed 10-4 after four innings. But the bats came to life and the Mustangs tied the score in the top of the seventh inning, before escaping with an 11-10 victory in the ensuing frame.

Templeton pitched two scoreless innings to earn his first win of the season, and struck out the final two Lancers with runners at second and third.

Krill smacked his first home run of the season and plated three runs. Tillman had three hits and a pair of RBIs. Dreksler also collected two RBIs.

________________________________________________

Varsity Sweeps Redhawks

The Mustangs' high-octane offense kicked into gear again Tuesday afternoon in a doubleheader sweep of the Marshall Redhawks. The Mustangs thumped Marshall in the home opener, 10-1 and 11-1.

In the first game, junior Caleb Meulman's two-run single in the third inning provided the only runs necessary. Junior Ryan Krill followed, with a two-run double and senior Nick McIntyre capped the uprising with a run-scoring single. Meulman and Krill each finished with three RBIs.

Senior Monty Porter worked five strong innings to notch his second mound win of the young season. Porter surrendered two hits, walked none and struck out seven Redhawks. Junior Kyle Jusick pitched the final two frames in a non-save situation. The southpaw yielded a pair of hits, two walks and fanned four batters.

In Game 2, senior Kevin Irwin was stellar in his four innings of work to earn the victory. Irwin gave up one hit, walked three batters and struck out five others.

Sophomore catcher Lee Dreksler was the lone Mustang with at least two hits. McIntyre, senior Nate Schutter and junior Evan Meier were each credited with two RBIs.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Varsity Opens With Lopsided Wins

The wind was blowing straight out to center field Saturday in Comstock and the Mustangs took advantage of the blustery conditions with a total of six home runs in a doubleheader sweep of the host Colts, 24-0 and 19-1.

Senior Nick McIntyre swatted two of his three dingers in the opener, both of which came in a 13-run second inning. The second of McIntyre's blasts was a grand slam. Junior transfer Kyle Jusick smacked a home run in his first official at-bat for the Mustangs. Senior Tyler Jones collected four hits and three RBIs in the opener, while juniors Jordan Tillman and Ryan Krill each chipped in with a pair of hits and three RBIs. Senior Monty Porter went the short distance on the mound to collect the win. The right-hander surrendered two hits, walked none and struck out four Colts.

In Game 2, the Mustangs got long balls from sophomore transfer Lee Dreksler, senior Nate Schutter and McIntyre. Jones and junior Caleb Meulman each collected three hits for the Mustangs. Jones added three more RBIs, while Meulman plated a pair of runs. Sophomore Nate Stegman worked the first two innings on the mound and earned the win. Sophomores Derek Schneider and Logan Templeton worked the third and fourth innings, respectively. Templeton struck out two of the three batters he faced 

McIntyre finished his monster day with 10 RBIs.

2010 DINGER CLUB